Salvation Army Wraps Up Annual Holiday Kettle Drive, Falls Short Of $74K Goal

The Salvation Army of Kosciusko County is wrapping up its annual holiday kettle drive today, and it looks as if it fell a little short in its fundraising goal.

New Year’s Resolution

The coming New Year's resolution should be pretty obvious, particularly when it comes to diet: 2017 will go down in history as the year when plant-based meats have revolutionized the food industry.

Event Set For Thursday Night To Help Syracuse Heal

Local Attorney Plans Presentation On Rise And Fall Of Facism In Europe

A presentation on the rise and fall of fascism in early- to mid-20th century Europe is set for Jan. 10 at the Warsaw Community Public Library.

Rev. Robert M. Horne

The Rev. Robert M. Horne, 84, Winona Lake, passed away at 6:05 p.m. Dec. 26, 2016,  in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. He was born April 13, 1932, in Boston, Mass., to Charles and Dora Melbourne Horne. In 1955 he was married to Betty Joy Rankin in Port Huron, Mich. She died Oct. 24, 2016.

Donna L. Olinger

Donna L. Olinger, 83, Warsaw, passed away at 2 p.m. Dec. 26, 2016, in her residence.  On Aug. 8, 1933, she was born in Gary to Harold A. “Dutch” and Jean M. Dietel Ford. On Sept. 25, 1954, she was united in marriage to Jean R. Olinger, who preceded her in death.

Dale E. Ellinger,

 Dale E. Ellinger, 75, Bourbon, passed away on Dec. 22, 2016, in Signature Health Care, Bremen.  He was born Feb. 7, 1941, to Jess and Pansy Sitez Ellinger in Harrison Township, St. Joseph County. He was a lifelong member of the area and a member of Bourbon First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed repairing lawn mowers and woodworking, making crafts to sell at craft shows. 

Family, Friends Remember Conrads As Kind, Giving

SYRACUSE – The Wawasee community is mourning the loss of two people with close ties to the school district after they died in a two-car crash on Christmas night.

Lou Ann Merkler

FORT WAYNE — Lou Ann Merkler, 64, passed away Dec. 25, 2016, at her home in Warsaw.  Born in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Mary Beaver.  She earned an associate degree in business from Indiana Purdue University Fort Wayne. She worked for Lincoln Life for 41 years prior to her retirement.  She absolutely loved "L

Mary Irene Rager

— Mary Irene Rager, 97, formerly of rural Akron, passed away Dec. 25, 2016, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, where she had resided for six years.

Charles Lagoni

Charles A. Lagoni, 83, Silver Lake, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 2016,  in Autumn Ridge Rehabilitation Center, Wabash. He was born Sept. 11, 1934, in Chicago, Ill., to Christian and Stella Bertronski Lagoni. He was a Silver Lake resident for 13 years and was formerly of the Chicagoland area. He was united in marriage to Elfriede J. Popp on Feb. 14, 1973, in Chicago. She preceded him on Oct. 6, 2013. He retired as a postmaster in Techny, Ill., with 40 years of service with the United States Postal Service. He faithfully served his country in the United States Navy as a radioman third class aboard the destroyer USS H.R. Dickson during the Korean conflict from June 1953 to June 1957.  He was an avid fisherman and a longtime fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.

Mary Irene Rager

AKRON — Mary Irene Rager, 97, formerly of rural Akron, died at 12:05 a.m. Dec. 25, 2016, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. Arrangements are pending at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron.

Lancers Battle Division I Radford

RADFORD, Va. – Grace College’s men’s basketball team gave NCAA Div. I Radford a competitive game on Friday at the Dedmon Center.

‘Nightline’ Visits Pierceton Business For News Segment

PIERCETON – Jas. Townsend and Son Inc., Pierceton, focuses on the 18th century, using 21st century technology to communicate about its products, and that’s partially what caught the attention of ABC’s “Nightline.”

Rex D. Smith

Rex D. Smith, 81, Warsaw, died at 10:56 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Joseph Nelson Dillon

On Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, Joseph Nelson Dillon was taken to be with his heavenly father who made him because of his belief in Jesus Christ, who died for his sins.

‘12 Days Of Christmas’ Becomes A Learning Lesson

A group of local Warsaw Community High School students learned the cost of  Christmas this year through the classic carol “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

Mary Jo Seitiner

Mary Jo Hite Seitner, 82, passed away at 5:49 p.m. Dec. 19, 2016, in Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born Feb. 9, 1934, in Grantsville, W.Va. She was born to Lee and Merrell McCartney and later adopted and raised by Charles and Mildred Johnson.  She married Carl Seitner on Jan. 7, 2004, in Warsaw. She was a homemaker and a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County. She was a member of the Early Apostolic Bible Training Center. She loved to fish and to attend garage sales. She especially loved her children and grandchildren. Survivors include a daughter, Linda (spouse Ron) Smith, Palestine; a son, Mike (spouse Maria) Seitner, Warsaw; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; many stepchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; two sisters, Marilyn While, Texas, and Debbie Sutton, New Paris; a half sister, Doris Puckett, Claysville, Ohio; and a brother, Darrell McCartney, Leary, Ohio. She was preceded by her husband, Carl Seitner, May 17, 2009; a son, David Seitner, April 14, 1990; two sisters, Nylene McKenna and Dean Cunningham; and two brothers, Raymond McCartney and Leon McCartney. Services were planned for 11 a.m. today at Titus Funeral Home, with Pastor Dean Ealey of Early Apostolic Bible Training Center officiating.  Burial will be in Palestine Cemetery. ***** Memorials in memory of Mary Seitner c/o Titus Funeral Home.

Jeffrey “Jeff” Rostochak

Jeffrey “Jeff” Rostochak, 56, Leesburg, passed away at 1:01 p.m. Dec. 21, 2016, at his home.  He was born July 22, 1960, in Columbia City, to Michael T. and Wilma I. Werstler Rostochak.  He graduated in 1978 from Whitko High School, South Whitley, and in 1982 from Huntington College. He was married Aug. 17, 1985, in Howe, to Molly D. Walter, who survives. 

Beigh Educational Endowment Fund Established At KCCF

Representatives from the Claypool United Methodist Church presented a check in the amount of $309,250 to Kosciusko County Community Foundation Wednesday to establish the Max and Kathryn Beigh Educational Endowment Fund.